Interview with Lee Tobin McClain – Writing An Autistic Character

Those of you who follow me on my personal blog or social media know that I have a son with autism (in fact, today is his 13th birthday!). I am his voice in the world and speaking out about autism spectrum disorder has become part of who I am in the public world. But it is also who I am in the private world. I remember watching the first two episodes of the television series Parenthood and just bawling – bawling – because this thing that we’d been struggling through with our child was suddenly not this isolated-good-Lord-what-are-we-going-to-do existence, other people had experienced exactly what we’d experienced. For some reason, seeing our same fears, struggles, insecurities, joys projected through a television screen removed all of the isolation and somehow, for me anyway, shored me up in a way that I cannot explain.

My main character James in my book A Melody for James is autistic. But, I never once say it. He just is who he is and has his quirks and his compulsions and is loved, deeply, despite it. I had a phone call a couple of weeks ago from a good friend who totally called me out on it and tried to find a way to word what it meant to her – another mother of a child with autism spectrum disorder – to see a functioning adult working in my fictional world without the label, but with enough of the label so that those of us who KNOW, knew it.

When I found out my friend Lee Tobin McClain’s character has an autistic son in her latest release, The Nanny’s Secret Baby, I immediately offered to read it and have her be my guest today. I hope you enjoy her interview and learn something about having an autistic child through her words here today and her new book. Leave a comment to be entered to win one of two copies!

From Lee: Hi Hallee, thanks for letting me drop in on my old friends at the Inspy blog! I’m so glad to talk with you about my new book because a main element is a child with autism, something that I know is close to your heart.

Interview:

What was your inspiration for writing about a child with autism?

One of my good friends has a son who was diagnosed with autism at about the same age as Sammy in The Nanny’s Secret Baby. I’ve followed his progress with great interest. He is a smart, creative little boy who defies stereotypes about autism. Once I started digging into the research, I realized that the saying I’ve heard is correct: “Once you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” Everyone on the spectrum is different!

Did you bring anything from your own experience as a mother into this book?

Definitely! Like Sammy, my own daughter is adopted. She also needed early intervention due to some deprivations in her early life, so I’m somewhat familiar with having therapeutic staff come into the home to work with a child. Because her speech was delayed, we taught her some sign language, which is a wonderful way for any baby to communicate. Most of all, I’m familiar with that feeling of worrying about your baby: will she catch up, how can I get her the help she needs, am I doing an okay job with this?

What do you hope people will learn from reading about little Sammy?

There is a stereotype that people on the spectrum don’t communicate and don’t connect with others. While that may be true of some—just like it’s true of some people who aren’t on the spectrum—it’s far from the norm. There are a couple of minor characters in The Nanny’s Secret Baby who express these stereotypes. It was fun to have Sammy and his parents prove those unpleasant people wrong.

The book can’t be all about Sammy.

Right—it’s a love story first and foremost! Veterinarian Jack DeMoise has been a character in all the earlier Redemption Ranch stories (you can read the free opening novella here). He’s a kind, good person who’s lost his wife and is overwhelmed with the care of his son. His late wife’s sister, Arianna, is colorful and artistic and messy. She is Jack’s opposite, so when she becomes Sammy’s nanny, chaos ensues! But their love for Sammy and their growing attraction for each other bring them closer and closer together. However, there is a big secret that Jack doesn’t know about Arianna and Sammy… and when that’s revealed, it nearly destroys the love that’s starting to build between them. It takes a good dose of faith and help from God to bring them together for a well-deserved happily-ever-after.

Did I hear there’s a giveaway?

Yes, of course! I’m giving away a signed copy of The Nanny’s Secret Baby to two random commenters on this post. I’d also encourage everyone to check out my newsletter for information about releases and, yes, more giveaways!

Thanks so much, Hallee! I love the Inspy Blog and it’s a pleasure to come back for a visit.

Hallee: Lee, thank you so much for being my guest today! I so enjoyed reading an early copy of this book. Friends – leave a comment for Lee and enter to win one of two copies!

With over half a million sales, Hallee Bridgeman is a best-selling Christian author who writes action-packed romantic suspense focusing on realistic characters who face real-world problems. Her work has been described as everything from refreshing to heart-stopping exciting and edgy. Hallee loves coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. Above all else, she loves God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength; has been redeemed by the blood of Christ; and relies on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide her.
Subscribers to Hallee's newsletter get her bestselling romantic suspense novella ON THE ROPES for free! Sign up by clicking the newsletter icon below or going here: http://www.halleebridgeman.com/newsletter

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Comments

I know several children (one is now an adult) with Asperger’s as well as several friends who have an autistic child. Its good to see them in a book or tv.
I remember reading Narelle Atkin’s book in the Tuscan Legacy and reading about one person in one scene and what he did I thought, This person has Asperger’s.

I don’t have any personal experience knowing someone with Autism, so I love that I can read about it, hoping it will help me when and if that experience comes. I would hope that I would be given grace in my ignorance when I make mistakes, as I undoubtedly will.

This sounds like a great story. Thanks for sharing! I’ve had some experience with autism and asperger’s. I look forward to reading these books and seeing how it is shown. The parents of these children feel so alone as there aren’t support groups in our area.

This sounds like a great story!! I have friends and relatives with autistic children, and I have a friend who is an ABA, working with children, and has her own team of people working with her in her company. I know it helps when you don’t feel alone going through things, and autism definitely needs to be talked about! The children don’t need to be isolated and alone, and neither do their parents.

I am an instructional assistant working with students with special needs, most of which have autism. I am so excited that there is so much more conversation about autism today. For people who have never had experience with autism, they have no idea what they’re missing. Every child with autism I’ve ever dealt with, whether professionally or personally, has stolen a piece of my heart and that piece will always be theirs. I’m really looking forward to reading this book!

We had friends from our church when we lived in Florida who have a son with autism. His mom has been a huge advocate for those with autism. Their son is now grown and just got his own house. It was so cool to see him in his house.

I love this! My son has autism as well, and I always enjoy reading books where children (or adults) with autism are shown with their strengths and weaknesses – just like the rest of us. And I felt the same way when I saw the first few episodes of Parenthood. I look forward to reading your book, Lee!

I have a young lady that was one of my girl scouts when she was growing up and now is married and her son was diagnosed with Autism, and because of so much support of family and friends and a great school she is getting a lot of support. She has found a local mom group that is also helping. I am looking forward to reading this and sharing it with her.

Our daughter has slight special needs that are more chronic illness, but in her PreK years, she was placed in a class with peers who were non verbal due to autism. Watching them interact with her was beautiful to watch. Our church has a disability ministry, and I’m so glad to see families with autism participating. I too sobbed through Parenthood, the Halloween episode where the mom left notes on neighbor windshields to explain, I’ll never forget that.

Looking forward to reading this book. I have a grandchild and nephew who are autistic. I also have several friends who have autistic children and I have to say that just like non autistic children each child has his/her own little personality. We are all different and unique.

I have a great nephew with asbergers who is doing great in college. Another great nephew was just diagnosed last year at age two. He is doing “better” than before and is in preschool now. His oldest sister, age 8, has type 1 diabetes. She almost died before being diagnosed. Their mom is doing an awesome job with them even though she doesn’t get much sleep. I think I own all of your books…I love them. Thank you for writing them

I look forward to reading this new book. I have a wonderful son (adopted) who has autism and defies the stereotypes. I always enjoy reading books that portray a character who is autistic. It is important that autism is presented and people are educated on ASD. When great authors include an autistic character in their story, more people are reached. I can’t wait to read about Sammy.

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